The Living Experience of Neurocomplexity, Intersectionality and Indigeneity; Accessing and Observing Specialist Mental Health Services
Tracks
Jacaranda - In Person Only
| Monday, August 11, 2025 |
| 1:25 PM - 1:45 PM |
| Jacaranda Room |
Overview
Vanilla Martin - Te What Ora Specialist Mental Health Service Waitaha
Speaker
Ms Vanilla Martin
Director Lived Experience & Family/whānau Voice
Te Whatu Ora Specialist Mental Health Service Waitaha
The living experience of neurocomplexity, intersectionality and indigeneity; accessing and observing Specialist Mental Health Services
Presentation Overview
Three Key Learnings:
1. Intersecting Factors Shape Experience: Neurocomplexity, trauma, and identity intersect, impacting how individuals experience mental health challenges and navigate life, including relationships and career.
2. Impact of Colonization on Indigenous Neurodivergent Individuals: Indigenous neurodivergent people face compounded challenges due to cultural dislocation, systemic racism, and historical trauma, limiting access to appropriate support.
3. Holistic, Inclusive Support Systems: Mental health systems must adapt to the diverse needs of individuals with intersecting identities, creating inclusive, empathetic services that serve all people, particularly those facing multiple layers of marginalization.
The intersectionality of neurocomplexity, trauma, indigeneity, and disability is the lens through which I understand the world we live in. At the core of this intersection is the recognition specialist mental health service provision but acknowledge the existence of experience is shaped by a combination of neurological differences, lived experiences of trauma, cultural identity, colonisation, and, often, disability. These factors do not exist in isolation; rather, they compound and interact in ways that influence how individuals experience the world and engage with systems of care.
Neurocomplexity refers to the ways in which individuals with neurological differences, such as those on the autism spectrum, ADHD, or other cognitive variations, experience the world. For many, like myself, these differences are compounded by trauma—whether due to systemic discrimination, historical violence, or personal experiences. Trauma is a profound disruptor, often leading to higher rates of mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. For neurodivergent individuals, trauma can also manifest in heightened sensory sensitivities, challenges with communication, and difficulties in navigating social norms, further complicating their ability to access support and thrive in everyday life; parenthood, careers, important relationships.
Indigeneity adds another layer of complexity. Indigenous communities globally have faced systemic oppression, historical trauma, and the ongoing effects of colonization. For neurodivergent individuals within these communities, the intersection of cultural dislocation, loss of language, and the experience of systemic racism exacerbates mental health challenges and limit access to culturally appropriate support. Indigenous ways of knowing provide powerful tools for healing, resilience, and identity reclamation. Integrating cultural practices into support models can strengthen the well-being of neurodivergent Indigenous people.
Systems must serve all people, not just people that are easy to serve.
1. Intersecting Factors Shape Experience: Neurocomplexity, trauma, and identity intersect, impacting how individuals experience mental health challenges and navigate life, including relationships and career.
2. Impact of Colonization on Indigenous Neurodivergent Individuals: Indigenous neurodivergent people face compounded challenges due to cultural dislocation, systemic racism, and historical trauma, limiting access to appropriate support.
3. Holistic, Inclusive Support Systems: Mental health systems must adapt to the diverse needs of individuals with intersecting identities, creating inclusive, empathetic services that serve all people, particularly those facing multiple layers of marginalization.
The intersectionality of neurocomplexity, trauma, indigeneity, and disability is the lens through which I understand the world we live in. At the core of this intersection is the recognition specialist mental health service provision but acknowledge the existence of experience is shaped by a combination of neurological differences, lived experiences of trauma, cultural identity, colonisation, and, often, disability. These factors do not exist in isolation; rather, they compound and interact in ways that influence how individuals experience the world and engage with systems of care.
Neurocomplexity refers to the ways in which individuals with neurological differences, such as those on the autism spectrum, ADHD, or other cognitive variations, experience the world. For many, like myself, these differences are compounded by trauma—whether due to systemic discrimination, historical violence, or personal experiences. Trauma is a profound disruptor, often leading to higher rates of mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. For neurodivergent individuals, trauma can also manifest in heightened sensory sensitivities, challenges with communication, and difficulties in navigating social norms, further complicating their ability to access support and thrive in everyday life; parenthood, careers, important relationships.
Indigeneity adds another layer of complexity. Indigenous communities globally have faced systemic oppression, historical trauma, and the ongoing effects of colonization. For neurodivergent individuals within these communities, the intersection of cultural dislocation, loss of language, and the experience of systemic racism exacerbates mental health challenges and limit access to culturally appropriate support. Indigenous ways of knowing provide powerful tools for healing, resilience, and identity reclamation. Integrating cultural practices into support models can strengthen the well-being of neurodivergent Indigenous people.
Systems must serve all people, not just people that are easy to serve.
Biography
Vanilla, a proud Ngadju woman raised on Noongar Boodjar country with whakapapa to Te Atihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, is the Director of Lived Experience & Whānau Voice at Te Whatu Ora Specialist Mental Health Service Waitaha. She amplifies the voices of individuals and whānau, challenges systemic barriers, and creates culturally safe mental health services by blending lived experience, cultural knowledge, and academic insight. Passionate about neurocomplexity and systemic change, Vanilla advocates for a people-centered approach to mental health. Outside of work, she’s a mama, model, recording artist, and enjoys gardening, reading, and beach naps with friends.
